Danville teacher could face prison on child pornography charges

MARTINEZ -- A Danville middle school teacher charged with aggravated child pornography possession could face five years in prison, a Contra Costa prosecutor said Thursday.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Bruce Flynn added that the investigation into Mitchell Wolf, a math teacher at Diablo Valley Middle School, is ongoing. There is no evidence of involvement by any students, the prosecutor said, and it is uncertain whether additional charges will be filed.

Wolf is being held on $1 million bail.

Wolf, a Danville resident, was arrested Aug. 22 based on a tip to law enforcement. The tip led to an investigation by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), which consists of detectives from several East Bay and South Bay law enforcement agencies.

The task force, Flynn said, was able to remotely monitor an IP address and determine the presence of child pornography. Based on that evidence, the task force executed a search warrant on the IP address and another on Wolf's residence on Bourne Lane.

Investigators found the images on DVD discs and a computer in the closet of the master bedroom, where it appeared Wolf had set up a home office, Flynn said. Wolf got the aggravated charge of child pornography possession because investigators found more than 600 images, with at least 10 depicting pre-pubescent minors engaged in sexual activity. One of the discs, Flynn said, was found in a soft-sided briefcase that also contained paperwork related to Wolf's job.

Advertisement

Investigators are still processing the evidence, the prosecutor said, adding there could be thousands of images.

Wolf is scheduled to be arraigned in Contra Costa Superior Court on Sept. 2. Anyone who has information on this case can contact the Danville Police Department at 925-314-3700.